What do Healthcare Scientists do?
There are over 50,000 healthcare scientists working in the UK. They work mainly in diagnosing health conditions i.e. working out what may be wrong and with treatments used to help your condition. You may see a Healthcare Scientist in person, for example to have a test done or they may be working behind the scenes analysing your samples or looking at your data, or working with equipment used to diagnose and treat you.
Healthcare Science Practitioners use their expertise in applied technical and scientific techniques to deliver safe quality assured tests, investigations, medical devices management and procedures (in some cases, including specialist therapeutic interventions) on samples, patients and equipment. Senior Healthcare Science Practitioners develop roles in specialist practice, teaching and management.
- Healthcare scientists work in more than 50 specialisms, divided across for areas; laboratory (pathology) sciences; physiological sciences; medical physics and clinical engineering; bioinformatics (NHS ENGLAND)
More information on the different work they do can be found via the following links.
(England) NHS England » What is healthcare science?
The National School for Health Care Science (NHS England) video:
https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/healthcare-science/healthcare-science-whats-it-all-about/
(Scotland) What is Healthcare Science? | Health Care Science
(Wales) Healthcare science – HEIW
Northern Ireland – Healthcare scientist | nidirect
Professionals on this part of the register work at practitioner level.
What do Higher Specialist Scientists (HSS) do?
Higher Specialist Scientists work in a number of Healthcare Science specialisms across a number of roles. They may have undertaken further training (a five-year doctoral level Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme) or have gone through the AHCS HSS Equivalence process and are able to progress to become Consultant Clinical Scientists by applying for specific posts.
Higher Specialist Scientists may be patient facing having a Lead Clinical role where they will have their own clinics and patient case load, putting their expertise to benefit patient care and contribute to the multi-disciplinary teams providing best practice and care;
They may also have an expert research role where they will lead research studies, clinical trials, promote innovation of services within their discipline and Trust; have an Academic role where they will be responsible for the clinical practice, teaching, training and mentorship of Scientists in their discipline, working with Universities and Higher Education institutions to further benefit patient care. Very often it will be a combination of all these roles and their high level of expertise is invaluable in promoting best practice in the NHS.
Higher Specialist Scientists make a very important contribution to high quality, safe and effective patient care through technological advances, innovation, strategic decision making and improved interaction and communication with clinical teams, Trust boards, and patients.
What do Clinical Research Practitioners (CRP’s) do?
Clinical Research Practitioners play an important role in the delivery of research across all health and social care settings in the UK. They have specific skills and knowledge in this area, focussing on high quality, ethical and efficient research delivery, and contribution to the process of scientific discovery. CRP’ S usually work in research teams alongside Consultants and Clinical Research Nurses.
CRP’s have a patient facing role meaning a patient/participant may see a CRP if they are taking part in a Clinical Research study.
They perform a number of activities, for example;
- making sure anyone taking part in research understands why the research is being done, what is required from someone taking part and the potential risks in doing so;
- taking and processing samples e.g. blood,
- health monitoring including recognising problems
- asking questionnaires for the study concerned.
They also do work on other areas that are not patient facing, for example making sure that information/data from the study is recorded accurately and managed through the research process. This includes analysing and producing results.
More information can be found here: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/support-by-profession/clinical-research-practitioners
Life Science Industry (LSI)
The professionals registered from the Life Science Industry visit healthcare facilities as part of their work and are usually employed by companies.
Life science industry companies have many different types of products. These are in three main areas – medical equipment, medicines and diagnostic products. In others words, things that are used to work out what may be wrong with a patient and for treating that condition. Companies may produce more than one type, but individual registrants will usually cover a single product area.
Life science industry workforce visit hospitals for various reasons. They may be installing or servicing equipment. They might provide technical support on how products are used, or they might work on clinical studies with NHS staff. They could be there to talk to patients about their experiences with a product, or they could be there for a business meeting. These visits help the NHS deliver successful patient care.
Life science industry staff may be highly qualified, but the AHCS LSI Register makes sure they also have the proper training for visiting hospitals. They must be background checked and have appropriate immunisations. Some may be going to operating theatres to provide technical product support during live surgery.
There are three ‘Tiers’ or levels for LSI registrants:
Tier 1 – lowest risk. Only minimal or incidental patient contact expected.
Tier 2 – medium risk. Registrants may visit areas where non-invasive procedures are taking place.
Tier 3 – highest risk. Registrants may visit areas where invasive procedures are taking place.
The AHCS LSI Register was developed with the NHS, life science industry associations and training providers. It was accredited by the PSA in 2018.
